Communicator remains ‘CU strong’

‘The position grew, I grew, and I found my passion.’

Like so many of her peers, Lacey Weaver didn’t plan on a career in the credit union movement.

After graduating from college with a business degree (and later a master’s degree), she was ready to work in almost any capacity where she could apply her skills.

“I started at the league working in EFT [electronic funds transfer],” she says. “When an opening in the communications department was available, I took it. After a little time in the position, I realized that I really liked this side of it.”

But that was just the start.

“The position grew, I grew, and I found my passion,” Weaver says. “I’m extremely lucky. I’m a one-person department who can come up with some of the craziest ideas, and the rest of the staff just rolls with them.”

She recently endured a year that presented heartbreak, intense work, and one beautiful interlude: a death, a flood, an international conference, and a wedding.

“My dad passed away exactly one month before my wedding,” Weaver says. “I worked from the hospital his last few weeks, which let us have conversations we never would have had otherwise. For that, this industry will forever hold a place in my heart.”

One month after the wedding, Weaver traveled to Belfast, Ireland, where Louisiana Credit Union League President/CEO Anne Cochran was named the first female chair of the World Council of Credit Unions.

‘If I can help others showcase their success, then I’ve done my job.’

Upon her return, terrible flooding devastated the Baton Rouge area.

A small credit union asked the league for help aiding flood victims.

Within 24 hours, the league launched the “Louisiana CU Strong Challenge,” which asked credit unions to match donations to a relief account.

“This is a perfect example of how important the league/credit union connection is,” Weaver says.

“Videos illustrating the ‘strong challenge’ came streaming in from all over the country, including a heartfelt one from our sister league in Mississippi. Some were hilarious, some were sober, and some were extremely inspirational.”

Through CUAid and other channels, the league’s foundation and the National Credit Union Foundation raised more than $300,000 to help more than 430 credit union professionals.

Reluctant to take the spotlight, Weaver says, “I love being the person behind the scenes. If I can help others showcase their success, then I’ve done my job.”

Who should be the 2019 Credit Union Hero of the Year?

Champion of America’s Credit Unions

Credit Union National Association is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.